Author: Frank Cammuso
Illustrator: Frank Cammuso
© Date: 2019
Publisher: Viking
Pages: 176
Chapters: Yes
Illustrations: Yes, graphic novel
Publisher Recommended Age: 8-12 years
Bonus Activities at End of Book: No
Summary from Book: Edison Beaker and his sister, Tesla, head back through the Night Door and stumble into a mysterious city that’s sinking into darkness. He could be a hero and help restore light to the city and its inhabitants who are crushed by gloom. But who can he trust to help him? His old friend, Knox, who is acting a little cagey? A new friend, Smudge, who’s a dreaded Underling, but seems pretty helpful? And, oh no! Now Baron Umbra is back and wants vengeance!
Edison is about to find out if he has what it takes to be a Creature Seeker!
Note: This review is done from memory. I originally read this awhile ago.
Page Pig Thoughts: Reading the first story would have helped understand what was happening in this story, but it was an enjoyable read all the same. Edison and Tesla adventure through Underwhere with Knox and Smudge. Edison and Tesla complete their task of relighting the torch of Pharos (light and dark are rebalanced), Knox finds her way to help her family, but Smudge is lost in the final torch lighting. Losing Smudge was sad, but the last frame of the story has Tesla’s creature beeper alerting her to the presence of Smudge. I quite enjoyed this one and hope to find another one of the series at the library. I adored the character drawings and use of color, Smudge the Underling was so ridiculously cute.
Note that some of the characters/story may be scary for younger or sensitive readers.
Family Unit: Edison and his little sister, Tesla, live with their mother. Their Uncle Earl also seems to watch over them. Something happened to their father, Edison believes that he is alive in the Underwhere, but Uncle Earl says that is not possible. Edison and Tesla go to visit Gigi (grandmother?) who seems to be pretending that she is much more sick than she really is.
Items of Interest:
- Edison believes that he is ready to be a Creature Seeker, but his uncle is trying to keep him safe and does not think that Edison is ready yet.
- Gigi sends Edison and Tesla into the Underwhere to relight the torch of Pharos.
- Smudge is an Underling that is not bound to the same rules as the other Underlings. Edison and Knox reluctantly let him join their group. In the end, Smudge saves the day.
- Knox turns out to be the lost spark of Pharos. She is not used to having a family and has to learn when to follow her friends and when to do things on her own.
- After the latest Underwhere adventure, Uncle Earl gives Edison the key to his father’s footlocker because he believes that he is ready to be a Creature Seeker.
Other Books in Series (At Time of Posting):
- Edison Beaker, Creature Seeker: The Night Door (review)
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